Petya is similar to the WannaCry ransomware that swept the world last month, hitting more than 200,000 users in more than 150 countries.

No computers in the UAE have been impacted by a new wave of ransomware cyberattacks that spread from Ukraine and Russia through Europe to the United States, the country's telecommunications regulator has said.

Thousands of computer users across the globe scrambled to reboot on Wednesday after the virus struck, demanding a payment worth $300 as it locked up files at companies and government agencies.

In a statement carried by state news agency WAM, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) that there have not been any reported cases of the virus in the UAE.

It advised computer users to be aware of the updated version of the ransomware, known as "Petya".